fritzinger



G. H. FRITZINGER Re. 25,056

ADHEsIvEAPPLIcA'roRs Oct. 17, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed May 25, 1956 INVENTOR Oct. 17, 1961 G. H. FRITZINGER R 25,056

ADHESIVE APPLICA'roRs original Filed May 25, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR United States Patent() 587 366, May 25,..1956. y Application forreissue June Matter enclosed in heavy brackets Elappears in the original patent butforms no part of 1this reissue speci-y cation; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by" reissue.

This invention-relate'slto devicesfor applying pressure sensitive adhesivok iilr'n" to surfaces to be coated and, particularly, tosuch devicesfwhich are adapted for applying adhesive film ofi pressure sensitive transfer tape known also as pressure sensitive release tape.

Suchltap'e Ehasa] comprisesdn adhesive film' having two pressare-.s'ensn'veHl adhesive surfaceslone of which is' cover'edbya nomadh'esve backing tilin typically of'paper treated so thatV itis poorly-'adherentto the adhesivehlm.- The tape is provided'in roll form and canbe'unwound" without offsetting ofthe adhesive hlm. After the' tape is"V applied to a surface, the backingy film can be peeledoif' to leave only a pressure sensitive adhesive coating;

` The applicatorsVA of' the present invention ar'e adaptedV for applyingthe adhesive -lm ofsuch tape and for' removing the backing film during the applying operation;

Anl object ofI my inve'ritirzanis'- to provide new applicators for the purpose statedfwhicli are simple, economical andfdependable. v Y

Another object' islto'provide such applicators withy a" novel' cutting mechanism adapted l to enable the' easy' applicatio'n of? any desired'length of adhesiveln'. p

Another object' is to-provide suchV applicators with' Va" simple mechanism which-is leftA ink a ready state for"tl1`e' start of asucceeding application after e'acl cutting op'- eration.

Another object is to` provide anl adhesive applicator" whereinthe adhesive lilnris` supplied with a r'eelforirigVV backing throughout its' length fromthe'supply rolltothe point of application. y

Another object isy to provideenectigve means' forsevering the adhesive yfilm'wh'i-le it is applied to its reenforeing backing meansand whilemaintainin'g'" continuity ofthe' backing means toV enable" resumption of feed-outof the adhesiveV lilmy after each; ciitting operation.

Another obect is toprovide an applicator with means.

to sever orv weaken the adhesive Ilni on a cross" line thereof before'it reachesthe surface' being coate'dandto lock the adhesive lnr against further feedout'when the` line ofseverance reaches approximately the placeof application whereby upon moving the applicator onwardlyf after the feed-out is locked the adhesive' lrn is separatedl at the line offs'everance;v

Another objectis to provide'an equalized blade mounting which isA adapted tojp'rovide a Uniform cutting action across the full width'of'the adhesive nlm.

Anotherv object is" to provide an improved'` applicatorroller which is poorly adherent' to the adhesive` tlm to enable a positive transfer of the adhesive iilni from the roller to the surface being coated.

Another object is toprovide an adhesive applicator with a' take-up means forthe backing' rilrn whichis operated by power de'rivedfromthe applying operation; A` further object in this respect is to operate the take-111:1` roller by power derived from the unwinding of the supply roll.

A further object isv to provide such applicators with a means which tends to overdrive the take-up roller through a friction slip coupling whereby the backing Re. 25,056 ReissuedV Oct. 17, T961 "ice- 2 ist constantly tensioned and peeled positively from theV adlesivehl'm dnring an Iapplying operation.

Another Objectis to'provide an applicator for adhesive whicli'ope'rates to lfeed the tape' itself across-the surface' beingcoated and-tro peel the backing' lm off at the point' ofv application. Further objects in this respect are to provide means for cutting the adhesive film without severing'tlie'backing' film, and forV cutting the adhesivelm' at a distance from thel point of application and to lock atirtomatically the feedout of the tape` when the line of sevrance reaches nearly the point of application.

Further objects are t'o'provide manual applicators with trigger-operated cutting# means and lost-motion feed lockingmeans wherein the'lock is removed upon release ofy the trigger.

These and other objects and features of my invention will be'ap'parent from the following description' and the appended claims.

In the description of` my invention" reference ishad to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIGURE l' is a side'elevational view of one embodiment off adhesive 'applicator according to' myinvention, showing' the applicator to reduced scale with a portion of the tape supply rollA broken awayv and with certain internal parts dottedly indicated;

2 is a topplan view of this embodiment;

FIGURE 3'is` a side elevational view to normal scale of ther forward portion' of this applicator, showing .the side cover removed; p

FIGURE 4 isa top fractional view taken substantially on theline 4-4 of FIGURE 3; y

Sfis Aa fractional section taken on the line fafof FIGURE' 3 to 'show the blade mounting;

FIGURE 6. is a side elevationto reduced scale showing` a 'second embodiment of my invention; Y

FIGURE 7' is a side elevation to normal scale ofthe forward portion'of this second embodiment, showingthe sidecov'er removed;U n

kFIGURE 8 is a fractional sectionon the line 8-=8 of FIGURE 7; Y

FIGURE 91s a fractionaisectional view taken onthe line o'f FIGURE 8; Y l

FIGURE" 10'is' aplan view of the mechanismy shown in FIGURES with partsappearing in section on the line ofjthat figure; and Y FIGURE' 11 is' an exploded perspective view of the cutting mechanism; n A

The applicator shown-in FIGURES l to S comprises al housing lt'havinga' tailstnicture carrying a cylindricaf roller 1I forspp'orting a supply roll 12 of pressure sensitive transfer tape and a-roller 13 for taking up the backing inlg'lm ofthe tape; a ,head structure 14 carryingoperatirgv mechanism'includingan applicator roller 15 entendi ing beyondl the housing for rolling engagement with a surface tobe coated designated'by. dash lines 16; anda= hollow intermediate' handle portion 17 through which; passers thetape 18 from the supply roll 12 in one direction/and tlebackingilm 19 to the take-up roller 13 in the'v other direction. The supply roll is locked to the sijip'po'rr roller 11 by a locking screw 11a interposed betvve'e'itlr'erollerandV the annular core of the supply roll.`

Thehousing comprises' two drawn metal sections 2t)` a frame for the operating mechanism and the other section 2l is simply a removable cover releasably secured in place by suitable means not shown.

The tail plate a of the frame section 20 is reenforced by a plate 23 at its inner side having a smaller forward portion secured to the handle 17 and a larger rearward portion substantially wider than the tail plate 10a to provide -a protective shield for the supply roll and the tape wound on the take-up roller. The plate 23 is spaced from the tail plate by a block 23a in the handle and a disk 23h at its far end. Journalled in the tail structure are shafts 24 and 25.for the rollers 11 and 13 respectively. Secured to the shaft 24 is a large pulley 26 and journalled on the shaft 25 is a relatively small pulley 27. The pulleys are inter-connected by a belt 28 and the pulley 27 is coupled to its shaft 25 by a friction slip clutch 29 to cause the take-up roller to be driven by the unwinding of tape from the supply roll. The clutch comprises a disk 30 secured to the pulley 27, an adjacent disk 31 keyed to the shaft 25, a spring washer 32 against the disk 31 and a nut 33 threaded on the shaft for adjusting lthe pressure between the disks.

The applicator roller is journalled on ajshaft 34 secured to the side wall of the head portion of the frame 20. Riding on the periphery of the top portion of this roller is Ya larger pressure roller 35 and a smaller pressure roller 36. These rollers are journalled on respective shafts 37 and 38 carried at their ends by arcuate plates of a U bracket 39. This U bracket is pivoted at 40 to a pair of apertured lugs 41 turned down from a relatively long lever 42 extending backwardly into the handle Where it has another pair of apertured lugs 43 turned down therefrom and pivoted to a studv 44 secured to the side of the frame 20. A tension spring 45 is connected between this lever and a stud 46 therebelow on the frame 20 to draw the lever downwardly and press the rollers 35 and 36 -against the applicator roller. As shown in FIGURE 3 the tape 18 is led into the handle between two vertically spaced guide members 47 and 48 with the adhesive side facing upwardly, then across the lever 42 and around the larger pressure roller 35 into adhesive engagement with the applicator roller, and next around the applicator roller to the smaller pressure roller 36. At this point the backing film 19 is peeled from the adhesive film across the bottom of the pressure roller 36 the handle to the takeup roller 13, leaving the adhesive film 19a on the applicator roller ahead of the pressure roller 36.

Since the tape 18 is in adhesive engagement with the applicator roller throughout the distance between the pressure roller 35 and pressure roller 36, it is drawn positively from the supply roll 12 as the applicator roller is rolled across a surface in the direction of the arrow A. By making the ratio of the diameters of the pulleys 26 and 27 at least greater than the ratio of the diameter of a full-Sized supply roll to the diameter of the take-up roller, it is assured that the take-up roller is overdriven always through the slip clutch by the unwinding of the supply roll to tension the backing film and peel it from the adhesive film as the adhesive film is fed out onto the surface being coated.

The adhesive film 19a is provided typically with a fibrous reenforcing so that it has an appreciable tensile strength. This assures positively against the film being oset from the applicator roller where the backing film 19 is peeled olf. In order that the adhesive lfilm will be transferred positively from the applicator roller to the surface 16 being coated, it must have less adherence to the applicator roller than to the surface being coated. As a means of reducing the adherence of the adhesive film to the applicator roller to enable positive transfer of the adhesive film to the surface I6 [regardless of whether the surface is one to which the adhesive has a strong adherence or not] the applicator roller 1s provided with a peripheral surface made 0f a matrial and led back -through 4 which is inherently poorly adherent to the adhesive film such as of a silicone compoundfor example, silicone rubberor the surface is treated with a suitable release agent such as of silicone by methods well known in the art. Instead or additionally thereto the periphery of the applicator roller is provided with both circumferential grooves 15a shown in FIGURE 4 and crosswise grooves 15b shown in FIGURE 3. The crosswise grooving aids the cutting of the adhesive film 19a applied to the Iapplicator roller as will appear, and provides good traction with the surface to be coated for driving the roller at the start of an applying operation.

A retaining plate 89 is mounted on spacers 90 secured to the reenforcing plate 23 to provide with the latter plate side walls for confining the backing film as it is wound on the take-up roller 13. Also, the retaining plate 89 serves to retain the tape where it is drawn from the supply roll in juxtaposition with the reenforcing plate 23.

A mechanism is provided for severing the adhesive film 19a before it reaches the surface being coated while maintaining continuity of feed-out of the Iadhesive film and while leaving the applicator at the end of each application in a ready state for the start of a succeeding application. The cutting is accomplished by striking the periphery of the applicator roller with a blade 50 mounted on the cross member 51a of a U lever 51 having angled side legs, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, pivoted centrally thereof on a stud 52 secured to the side of the frame 20.` Pivoted also on this stud between the U lever and the frame in parallel relation to the adjacent leg of the U lever is an actuating arm 53 clearly shown in FIGURE 1l. This arm has a lug 54 bent over and passing through an arcuate slot 55 in the side wall of the frame 20 to form a stop for the arm by abutment of the lug against the back end of the slot as shown in FIGURE 3. The arm is held normally in this stop positioned by a blade actuatable spring 56 connected between the upper end of the arm and a pin on the frame. The actuating arm is coupled to the U-shaped blade lever by a V spring 57 connected between a lug 58 bent over from the actuating arm past the leading edge of the adjacent leg of the blade lever and a lug 59 bent over from the back edge of this leg of the blade lever. The V spring is a light spring of the compression type which holds the blade lever yieldably against the lug 58 in which position the blade 50 is at a clearance distance from the applicator roller as shown in FIGURE 3. Secured to the blade lever 51 about midway between the pivot stud 52 and the upper end of the blade lever is a stud pin 60 which extends through a clearance slot 61 in the actuating arm 53. Between the actuating arm and the side wall of the frame there is a pawl 62 which is engageable with the stud pin at its forward end and pivoted at 63 to an upright arm 64. This arm has a long cylindrical hub 65 at its lower end which is pivoted on a stud 66 secured to the side of the frame 20 at a point spaced backwardly and upwardly from the pivot stud 52 for the blade lever. The arm 64 is urged rearwardly against a stop pin 67 by a tension spring 68 but is operable forwardly by a fingerpiece 69 secured to the hub and extending out of the :housing at an angle of about 25 degrees to the handle portion thereof. The pawl 62 is urged lightly downwardly into engagement with the stud pin 60 on the blade lever by a light tension spring 70 between the arm 64 and a lug on the rear end of the pawl.

When the ngerpiece 69 is pressed inwardly the pawl pushes against the stud pin 60 to move the blade lever 51 counter-clockwise and withdraw the blade from the applicator roller. At the same time the blade lever pushes against the lug 58 to move the actuating arms 53 therewith to charge the spring 56. At the end of the inward movement of the fingerpiece a tooth 71 of the pawl 62 strikes a stationary pin 72 on the frame and causes the pawl to be raised out of engagement with the stud pin 60. When this disengagement occurs the actuating arm 53 is propelled by the Yspring 56 with an impulse in a clockwise motion until the stop lug 54 strikes the end of the sletl 95. The blade lever is likewise so propelled by the lug 58 on the actuating arm and acquires a momentum which at the instant the actuating arm is stopped by 'mpingement of the lug 54 against the end of the slot 55 causes an overthrow of the blade lever in a clock-wise direction away from the llug 58 [thereof past its normal position] against the light retarding force Aof the V spring S7 with the result that the blade is impinged once against vthe applicator roller and returned to normal position against the lug 58.

This impingement of the blade against the applicator roller serves 'to so sever or weaken the adhesive film 19a thereon that it separates readily at this point at the end of an applying operation, as will appear. However, in order to obtain equalized pressure along the blade against the roller, with a positive and uniform cutting action, the blade is pivotally secured to the blade lever at a point midway its length and is yieldably mounted to shift sidewise of the roller the instant it cornes into engagement therewith. This is accomplished -by -slidably retaining the blade 50 to the blade lever with loose pin-slot mountings 73 as indicated in FIGURE 5, and securing the blade at its midpoint 74 to a short link 75 at an vangle of about 35 degrees to the pivot axis of the blade lever, the other end of the link being pivoted at 76 to the cross member of the blade lever. A tension spring 77 is connected between the free end ofthe link and one leg of the .blade lever so as to yieldably press the blade in a forward position parallel with the applicator roller is defined by the pinslot mountings 73. When the blade strikes the applicator roller the spring 77 yields and the link is turned counterclockwise (FIGURE 5) to free the blade from its abutment against the pins ofthe mountings 73 so that it can turn about its pivot 74 to equalize its pressure against the applicator roller, and at the same time the blade is shifted lengthwise along the roller to provide a slicing type of cutting action. The blade may have a straight or serrated edge but need not Vbe razor sharp. Since the blade lis struck against the applicator roller the latter is preferably made of a slightly soft or yieldable material having good shear resistance such as of aluminum, plastic or rubber.

When .the linger-piece 69 is depressed to [operate] strike the [cutting mechanism] b'lade 50 against the applicarorraller as before described a lost-motion lock is [put into operation to stop the feed-out of the adhesive film, the lock becoming operative when] rendered operative to cause the applicator roller 15 to become locked when it has been turned clockwise enough to bring the line of `severance where the adhesive iilm was struck by the blade [reaches] substantially to but [is] not beyond the place where the -lilrn is being applied to the surface being coated. This lock comprises a ratchet wheel 78 between the applicator roller and the frame on the `shaft 34. The Lend wall of the applicator roller confronting the ratchetwheel is recessed to receive a portion of the wheel, and the confronting end Iwall of the wheel is itself provided with a cylindrical recess 79 to receive a tension spring 80 connected at one end to a pin 81 on the ratchet wheel and at vthe :other end to a pin 82 threaded into the applicator roller. This latter pin extends through an arcuate slot B3 in the ratchet wheel to permit about 45 degrees lost motion between the ratchet wheel and roller. The spring 80 is so directed as to hold the Ypin 82 normally against the trailing end of the slot, with respect to the forward direction yof rotation of the roller, so that the ratchet wheel is drawn along with the roller.l A pawl 84 is pivoted at 85 against the inside wa'll of the frame 20 and extends downwardly from its pivot axis to the back side :of the ratchet wheel. The pawl is held yieldablyfata clearance vspacing from the ratchet wheel yagainst afstop pin by a spring 87. When the linger-piece 69 is depressed wto actuate the cutting mechanism an arcuate end .portion of the pawl 62 is lpressed .against a relatively if cantilever spring 88 secured to the hub of the pawl 84 and extending therealong at a clearance spacing therefrom, to cause a single tooth 84a of the pawl 84 to engage the ratchet Wheel 78, the purpose of the cantilever spring being to provide a yieldable coupling which will "give" should `the pawl v84 at rst strike a crest of a tooth of the ratchet wheel. By this engagement the ratchet wheel is locked, and upon a forward movement of the applicator roller through about 45 degrees the latter is also locked to prevent further feed-out of the adhesive film. This locking of the roller is adapted to occur preferably just prior to the line of severance on the adhesive film reaching the surface being coated. Upon further advancing the whole applying device after the roller ts locked, the roller is slid on the surface being coated to separate the adhesive film already applied from the adhesive lm on the roller. Upon thereafter releasing the finger-piece 69 the pawl 84 is disengaged to permit the applicator roller to be rolled again across a surface to be coated. Since the roller was locked before the leading edge of the adhesive lm now on the roller reached the point of application, [this leading edge of] the adhesive lm on the vapplicator roller will [be the lirst to] engage the vnew surface ,to be coated leading edge first to assure positive transfer of the film from the roller.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that I have provided a conveniently operable device for applying successive lengths of adhesive film by merely moving the device on the applicator roller 15 across the surface to `be coated and pressing a finger-piece when it is desired to cut the llm, the device being again operative to start another application upon merely releasing the iingerpiece. The embodiment of my invention shown in FIGURES 6-'10 comprises many parts which are the same as in the preceding embodiment and which are given the same reference characters. 'The housing differs only in that its tail plate 10b is differently shaped to permit the supply roll 12 to be mounted below the take-up roller 13. Again, the tail plate is reenforced by a plate 100, corresponding to the previousv plate 23, which has a portion s engaging and secured to the handle 17.V The obliquely upwardly extending portion of this reenforcing plate 100 is substantially wider than the corresponding portion of the tail plate 10b, as shown in FIGURE 6. A retaining plate 101 is mounted on two spacing disks 102 carried by the reenforcing plate to form with the latter two spaced sidewalls to confine the backing film as it is wound on the take-up roller and Ito maintain the supply roll always in close proximity -with the reenforcing plate. Again, the support roller 11 Aand the take-up roller 13 are intercoupled by a belt and pulley arrangement including the friction slip clutch l29. Since the supply roll 12 is now locatedbelow the take-up roller 13 the tape 18 is led past a kguide roller V10? at the back end of handle and through the lower Yportion .of the handle across a knurled roller 104 .into the `head portion of the housing, with the adhesive side of the tape facing downwardly. In the head portion of the housing the tape is led partially around arelatively large roller 105 journalled on the stud S2 between the two upright legs of the blade lever 5l, then downwardly and around the bottom of the applicator roller 15, back from the applicator roller between two interengaging tensioning rollers 106s and 106b, and then through the upper portion ,of `the handle, the tape extending back 'from the applicator roller constituting only the `hacking dlm r19, as will appear. At the rear end of the handle'the backingiilm is led across the edge 107 to `the take-uproller 13.

yby'a lever y108 at the outer side of the frame section 20,

the lever extending rearwardly from the stud 108 and being pivoted at 109 to the sidewall of the frame section, it being understood that there is a suitable clearance opening in the frame section through which passes the stud 107a. The roller 106b is coupled by a belt 110, preferably a coil spring belt, to the roller 105, the belt riding in a peripheral groove 111 in the pressure roller y106a and in a peripheral groove 112 in the roller 105. Since the tape is drawn across the roller 105 with its adhesive side in engagement therewith, the roller 105 is always driven positively at a peripheral speed equal exactly to that of the feed ofthe tape. By proper selection of the diameters of the pulley portions of the two rollers, the roller 106a tends to be overdriven. By placing the pivot 109 above the journal axis of the roller 105 part of the tension on the belt 110 is utilized to provide pressure of the roller 106a against the roller 106b vitself jounalled on a fixed stub 1'07b mounted on vthe sidewall of the frame section 20. Preferably, one'or both of the rollers 106a and 106b are provided with a peripheral rubber covering so that they will have a good friction grip on the tape. The applicator roller l may have a smooth peripheral surface and be made, for example, of aluminum or of plastic.

The adhesive contact which the tape has with the roller 105 just in advance to where the tape is led onto the applicator roller, and the pinching engagement which the rollers 106a and-106b have with the tape just following the point where the tape is led from the applicator roller, together with the constant tensioning of the tape both from the rollers 106a and 106b, and the take-up roller 13, serve not only to hold the tape tightly around the applicator roller but also to hold it firmly `against being displaced sidewise relative to thel applicator roller during a taping operation, it being understood that the tape is not in adhesive contact with the applicator roller in this embodimentbut that the adhesive side faces outwardly for direct transfer of the adhesive film from the backing film to the surface to be coated as the applicator roller is rolled thereacross. The advantage of so leading the whole tape onto the surface to be coated is that transfer of the adhesive film to that surface is assured, because of the poor adherence which the adhesive film has with the specially treated backing film, without need for an applicator roller with a special adhesive peripheral surface. Thus, in this embodiment, the backing film is peeled positively from the adhesive film at the point of application of the latter to -the surface being coated.

The same cutting mechanism is employed as in my first embodiment and need not therefore be further described other than to say that the cutting actionwhich is to strike the blade against the adhesive side of the tape on the applicator roller and shift the blade slightly along its cutting edge during its impingement-is found to sever the adhesive film positively without cutting or weakening the backing film.

As in my first embodiment the feed out of the tape is locked following actuation of the cutting mechanism and when the line of severance reaches approximately the point of application. However, the lock-up mechanism is operable in this embodiment on the roller 105. For this purpose the roller is provided with a cylindrical recess 113 at one end to receive a small ratchet wheel L14 preferably with some extension of the ratchet wheel beyond the roller. This ratchet wheel has a circular row of teeth 115 on its outer face and has a hub 1.16 journalled on the stud 52 and extended inwardly to provide a cylindrical space 117 between the ratchet wheel and inner wall of the recess A113. The ratchet wheel has an arcuate slot 118 engaged loosely by a pin 119 anchored to the roller 10S, the length of the slot being suicient to allow approximately 120 degrees` of lost motion between the ratchet wheel and the roller 105,l this lost motion in terms of peripheral movement of plicator roller from the line of severance to the point of application. A tension spring is connected between the pin-119 and a pin 121 on the ratchet wheel to urge the ratchet wheel When the fingerpiece 69 is depressed 119 abuts against the trailing end of the arcuate slot 118. Mounted on Ithe side wall of the frame 20 and spaced therefrom by a block 123 at its base is a pawl 122 in the form of a cantilever spring extending downwardly into the space between the ratchet wheel and frame and terminating in a lug or tooth 1,24 which is crosswise to and spaced from the row of teeth 115 on the ratchet wheel. When the fingerpiece 69 is depressed to actuate the cutting mechanism, a bowed extension 125 on the pawl 62 enters between the intermediate portionl -of the pawl 122 and side wall of the frame to cam the pawl 122 inwardly into locking engagement with the ratchet wheel. Upon the ratchet wheel becoming so locked as the cutting mechanism is actuated, the roller -105 can be turned further forwardly by about 121) degrees before it also will be locked to stop the feed-outv of the tape. As before explained, this locking of the feed-out of the tape is set to occur preferably just before the line where the adhesive film has been cut reaches the place where the tape is brought into adhesive contact with the surface being coated.

Although the principle of operation of this second embodiment is different in some respects from my first embodiment, it has the same positive and dependable action enabling easy application of any desired length of adhesive film simply by engaging the applicator roller with the surface to be coated, moving the applicator forwardly and pressing the fingerpiece just before reaching the point where it is desired to terminate the application.

The portable applicator units herein described may bev provided with suitable lateral extensions at the side for sliding engagement with a guide rail on the fixture carrying the-material to be coated in such applications where close accuracy in the placing of the adhesive film is required. Also, although l have described my invention in terms only of portable units, it will be understood that the applicator mechanism may be stationary except for a movement onto and from the surface to be coated, and a conveyor arrangement may be used to carry the surface being coated past -the applicator unit. Such and. other modifications Will be apparent from the illustrative embodiments herein disclosed without departure from the scope of my invention, which I endeavour to express according to the following claims.

l I claim:

l. An applicator for pressure-sensitive transfer tape comprising an adhesive film having two pressure-sensitive adhesive surfaces and a non-adhesive backing film' covering releasably one of said surfaces, said applicator comprising an applicator roller for carrying [an] said adhesive film to a surface to be coated; means for progressively applying said tape into adhesive contact with said roller as the roller is advanced; means for progressively peeling the backing film from said tape as the roller is advanced whereby only the adhesive film of the tape is left on said roller ahead of the point where the backing film is removed; and means for cutting the adhesive film [before it reaches] on said roller between said point andthe point where the roller contacts thel the roller being about the peripheral distance on the ap- 75 roller in the direction of-its forward movement from said rst station whereby only the adhesive film of the tape is applied lto said roller ahead of said second station, said adhesive film being poorly adherent to said Vroller vallowing the adhesive lm to be transferred to a surface to be coated as the roller is rolled thereacross; and means for cutting said adhesive 'film [ahead of] on said roller Vbetween said second station V[prior to] and the paint of its application to said surface.

' An applicator for pressure-sensitive tape comprismg an adhesive film having ttwo pressure-.sensitive adh esl've surfaces and a non-adhesive backing film covering relearably One of said surfaces, said applicator comprising an applicator roller [on to which] means for leading said tape [is] progressively [applied] into adhesive ontact with said vroller responsive to forward rotation of said roller; means for peeling olf .the backing film 'from the tape on said roller as the roller is advanced, the adhesive film being poorly adherent to said roller to permit transfer of the adhesive film toa surface to be coated as the roller is rolled Vthereacross; a blade mounted for movement against said roller; and means for actuating said blade.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 where said blade extends lengthwise of said roller along the active length of the latter, and said actuating means comprises spring means operatively connected `to said blade [and], means for withdrawing said blade from said roller [and] against said spring means [and then], means for `releasing the blade to cause it to strike against said roller, and a manually depressable trigger connected tosaid withdrawing means .and said releasing means to cause the same to be Loperated in the sequence here named as the trigger is depressed.

5. Thecombination set forth in claim 3 wherein said blade extends :lengthwise of said roller throughout the active length of the latter, including vmeans :for causing thc yillude to `shift lengthwise of the roller when `it comes into 'engagement therewith] The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said blade extends lengthwise of said roller throughout the act'we length .of .the latter, and wherein said actuating means is pivotally connectedto a central portion of .said blade to cause the blade to.v engage said roller with equalizedcontact pressure along the length of the blade.]

7. -An applicator for pressure-sensitive transfer tape comprisingan adhesive film having two pressure-sensitive adhesive surfaces anda non-adhesive backing film covering .releasably one of said surfaces, said applicator comprisingfan applicator roller on to which said tape is progressively applied in adhesive contact thierewth by forward .rotation of rsaid roller; means for peeling off the backing film from the tape on said roller as the roller is advanced, said roller having shallow transverse screws adapted Ato render the adhesive film poorly-adherentthereto so that the adhesive film will transfer to a surface to be coated as vthe roller is rolled thereacross; and a transverse blade engageable with saidroller in line with said grooves at the head of `the point where the backing film is removed for severing .the adhesive film before it reaches the snrface foibe-coated.

8. -An applicator for applying [the] to a surface to be coated an Vadhesive film of pressure-sensitive transfer tape [onto a surface to be coated] having a non-adhesive backing film covering releasably one of the adhesive surfaces of -theadhesive film, comprising means for supporting a supplyroll of said tape; an applicator roller; means for leading the tape from said supply roll into adhesive contact with the periphery of said applicator roller as the roller is advanced; a take-.up roller for the backing film of said tape; means for leading the backing film from a point whereit is peeled from the tape on said applicator roller to said take-up roller; and means for exeffing an ,over-.driving influence on said take-up roller to tension ythe backing Vfilm yand cause it to be peeled from 16 the tape on the applicator roller and wound -on the tahoe up roller as the applicator roller is advanced.

9. "I'he applicator set forth in claim 8 including `a coupling with friction slip between said takefup roller and said supply roll for exerting a driving force tending to over-drive said take-up roller by the unwinding of said supply roll as said applicator roller is moved across the surface to be coated.

10. An applicator for applying [the] to a surface to be coated an adhesive film of a pressure-sensitive transfer tape [onto a surface to be coated] having a non-adhesive backingrfilm covering releasably one of theadhesive surfaces of the adhesive yilm. comprising a rotatable support for a supply roll of said tape; a take-up roller for the backing film of said tape; an applicator roller; premuto means for adhesively engaging the tape from said supply roll with said applicator roller to cause the tape to be drawn from the supply roll as the applicator roller is rolled forwardly across said surface to be coated; means driven by said applicator roller for exerting an ovendriving influence on said take-up roller to peel the backing film from the .tape on said applicator roller and wind it on said take-up roller as the applicator roller is advanced; and means for cutting the adhesive film on said applicator roller ahead-of said pressure means.

l1. .An applicator for the adhesive film of pressure- Sensitive transfer tape having a non-adhesive backing film covering releasab'ly one of the surfaces of said adhesive film, comprising an applicator roller onto which said transfer tape if progressively applied by forward rotation of said roller; means for peeling off the backing film from the tape on said roller as the roller is advanced, the adhesive film being poorly adherent to said roller to permit transfer of the adhesive lil-m to a surface to be coated as the roller is rolled thereacross; a cutting mem-Y ber; means for moving said cutting member against said' applicator roller between the place where the backing film is peeled off and the place where the roller engages said surface; and means operatively coupled to said mov- ,ing means for applying a lost-motion lock on said applicator roller as an incident to severing the adhesive film on said roller, said block being adapted to stop said roller against further forward rotation just prior to the place where the adhesive lfilm is cut reaching said surface being coated.

12. An applicator for the adhesive film of pressuresensitive transfer tape having a non-adhesive backing film covering releasably one of the surfaces of said adhesive film, comprising a support for a supply roll of said tape; an applicator roller; means responsive to advancing the roller across a surface to be coated for adhesively engaging the tape from said supply roll onto said roller at one place and concurrently peeling .the backing film of -the tape from the roller at another place [as the roller is ladvanced across a surface to be coated] spaced peripherally of said roller in the direction of its forward movement vfrom said one place; means operable to cut the adhesive film on said roller between the place where the backing lfilm is peeled olf and the place where the roller engages said surface; a lock for said roller having a lost-motion coupling thereto adapted to permit the roller to be moved further forwardly after the lock is engaged by an angular distance less that that between the place where the adhesive film is cut and the place where the roller engages said surface; and means for causing said locking means to be engaged as an incident to operating said cutting means.

13. An applicator for removing the pressure sensitive means from the backing film of transfer tape and applying the same to a surface to be coated, comprising a support roller for a supply roll of said tape; a takeup roller for the backing film of said tape; an applicator roller onto which the tape is led from said supply roll .to

bring the pressure-sensitive means thereof progressively into contact with said surface and as said applicator 1 l roller is rolled thereacross and from which the backing film is led to said take-up roller; and means for progressively peeling the backing film from the pressuresensitive means of said applicator roller is rolled across said surface including a friction-slip overdrive coupling between said support roller and said take-up roller for exerting an overdriving force on said take-up roller by the unwinding of said supply roll adapted to tension the backing film throughout its length from said supply roll to said take-up roller during the feeding of the tape.

v 14. An applicator for applying the adhesive film of pressure-sensitive transfer tape from a supply roll thereof to a surface to be coated, comprising means for leading said adhesive film into adhesive contact with Asaid surface while providing a reinforcing Ibacking for the adhesive film throughout its length from said supply roll to the place of its application to said surface; a cutting member; a depressable manual member; means responsive to depressing said manual member for actuating said cutting member to cause the same to [engage] strike once against said adhesive film on a transverse line at a predetermined distance from said surface; and means operably coupled with said actuating means vand operative while said manual member is depressed for applying a lost-motion lock on said tape adapted to stop the feed thereof when the cutting line on the adhesive film is at said surface.

15. An applicator for applying [the] to a surface to be coated an adhesive film of a pressure-sensitive transfer tape [to a surface to be coated] having a non-adhesive backing film covering releasably one of the adhesive surfaces of the adhesive film, comprising means for carrying a supply roll of said tape; means for leading said adhesive film into contact with said surface [while] to be coated and for providing a reinforcing backing for the adhesive film throughout its length from said supply roll to said place of its application to said surface; means operable against a portion of said backing for cutting said adhesive film [without displacing it from its backing] before it reaches said surface to be coated;

and tensioning means for taking up the backing film of said tape.

1 6. An applicator for applying [the] to a surface to be' coated an adhesive lm of pressure-sensitive transfer Itape [to a surface to be coated] having a non-adhesive backing film covering releasably one of the adhesive surfaces of the adhesive film, comprising means for supporting a supply roll of said tape; an applicator roller, a take-up roller for the backing film of said tape; means for leading the tape from said supply rol-l around said applicator roller and back to said take-up roller with the adhesive side of the tape facing away from the applicator roller for direct transfer to said surface as the applicator roller is rolled thereacross; means tending to overdrive said take-up roller to tension the backing film around said applicator roller; a cutting blade; means for striking said cuttingblade against adhesive side of the tape backed by said applicator roller at a distance from the place of engagement of the tape with said surface; and means for causing the tape to become locked against further feed-out when the cutting line on the tape reaches substantially the place of en-v gagement of the tape with said surface.

17. In an applicator for applying [the] to a surface to be coated an adhesive film from a supply roll of pressure-sensitive transfer tape [to a surface to be coated] having a non-adhesive backing film covering releasably one of the pressure-sensitive adhesive surfaces of the adhesive lm; the combination of an applicator roller onto which the tape is lead from said supply roll to cause the adhesive film thereof to Ibe napplied to a surface to lbe coated as said applicator roller is rolled thereacross; means for cutting said adhesive film at a distance from the point of application without [breaking continuity of] interrupting the feed-out of the film to said stopped when the cutting line reaches approximately the point of application.

18. In an applicator for yapplying [the] to a surface,

to be coated an adhesive film of pressure-sensitive transfer tape [to hesive backing film covering releasably hesive .surfaces of the adhesive film; the combination of means for carrying -a supply roll of said tape; means for drawing tape from said supply Iroll Iand pressing the adhesive film thereof into progressive contact with said surface, while providing a moving reinforcing backing for the film to the point of its application, as said applicator is moved across said surface, said reinforcing backing being poorly adherent to said film to provide the transfer of the film to said surface; and means operable to lock said reinforcing backing whereby upon further moving said applicator the adhesive film is separated at the point of application.

19. The method of applying [the] to a surface to be' coated an adhesive film of pressure-sensitive transfer tape [to ya surface to be coated] having a non-adhesive backing lm covering releasably one of the pressuresensitive adhesive surfaces of the adhesive lm, which comprises drawing the tape from a supply roll thereof with the adhesive film -backed on one side -by the backing film of the tape, transferring the adhesive film progressively from the backing film [to] into adhesive contact with an applicator roller as the roller is rolled' across the surface to be coated, and carrying the adhesive film by the applicator' roller into adhesive contact With said surface to be coated.

20. The com-bination set forth said actuating means tion of said spring of said blade with resultant impingement of the blade against the roller by inertia overthrow of the blade includes means for limiting operato withdraw the same from the roller after each said pingement. l

21. The combination set forth in claim- 15 wherein said cutting means comprises a movably mounted blade,

a manual control member, vand means operative upon each pressing of said control member to cause said blade' to strike once against said adhesive film and to be thereupon withdrawn at a clearance distance therefrom.

22. [A] In a mechanism lm having two pressure-sensitive [means] adhesive surfaces carried releasably by a and wound in roll`form[, tion of a journaled member of said `backing film with said pressure-sensitive [means] adhesive film thereon, means on said joumaled member for holding said supply roll in fixed rotational relation thereto, a journaled take-up member separate from said carrying member for reeling up the backing film afterv removal of said pressure-sensitive [means] adhesive lrm, a roller around which the backing film is led from said supply roll to said take-up member and at which the pressure-sensitive [means] adhesive film is peeled from the backing film, and means for driving said take-up member by said carrying member with a force tending to turn said take-up member at a greater rotational speed of said carrying member during the unreeling' of said supply roll comprising an over-drive coupling including a friction clutch and a drive coupling transmission between the carrying member and the take-up member having a drive transmission ratio greater than the ratio of the diameter of said supply roll to the diameter of said take-up member for providing an over-driving influence on said take-up member with slippage of saidv clutch to exert a tensioning force on the `backing film during the entire unreeling ofthe supply roll.

23. The applicator set forth in leading means a surface to be coated] having a nonad-' one of the adin claim 4, wherein` means to a portion of the strokeV for dispensing an adhesive' non-adhesive backing flrrr comprising]- the combina'- for carrying a supply rolly claim 15 whereinfsaid includes an applicator roller to be rolled i 13 across said surface and around which said transfer tape is led from said supply roll to said take-up means with the adhesive lm facing outwardly from the applicator roller for direct transfer from the backing film -to said surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,257,009 MacLaurin Feb. 19, 1918 

